The Master of Arts in Education is a variable semester credit hour program depending on one’s study concentration. Formal course work is designed to help the adult student acquire subject matter mastery, apply knowledge and conduct research in various areas within the field of education. The program of study consists of foundation (including a master’s research project), concentration, and elective courses (in some programs). The program has been created to provide graduates with the skills and knowledge necessary to:

Improve and enhance their teaching and services to students.

Provide their students with an enhanced learning environment.

Prepare and plan for change in schools.

Assist schools and the community to improve education for all students.

Assess outcomes of school curricula, programs, services, and activities.

The following is a desription of the typical course curriculum that you will encounter in the Master of Arts in Education degree program.

EDF 7003 EC Positive Classroom Environments
Course explores the components of positive classroom environments which address the five basic needs of children based on the Pyramid Model. Also included is a focus on health, safety, Child, family, cultural, and community relationships are also investigated. Practicum/field experience of 10 hours.

EDF 7013 EC Special Education Strategies
Course designed to describe the characteristics and learning styles of students with various exceptional learning needs. Provides candidates with a knowledge base for the foundation of special education, including the basic procedural flow of referral, identification, instruction, and strategies for modifying the learning environment and individualizing instruction for young children Birth-PreK and K-3.

EDF 7023 Language Development and Disorders
Course introduces the candidate to the nature and structure of language, current theories of language, normal first and second language development, language disorders, multicultural issues in language assessmet, and contemporary classroom management of language deficits. Topics are examined from an educational perspective to enhance the teacher’s knowledge of language and to facilitate classroom management of language deficits exhibited by exceptional children in grades PreK-12.

EDF 7033 Special Education Service Coordination
Course focuses on the practices and problems associated with the development, monitoring, and organization of multiple school-based special education services. Course addresses how to link evaluation results to writing the Multidisciplinary report and the IEP, as well as exploring the differences in using the Individual Family Service Plan for early childhood settings.

EDF 7043 Exceptional Children from Diverse Communities
Focus of course is to explore the impact of cultural and linguistic diversity in communication, learning and behavior. Other topics include differentiating instruction and lesson planning based on individual needs, with a focus on adaptation, accommodation and modification.

EDF 7063 EC Assessment, Screening, Monitoring, and Evaluation
Focus on the setting up of the classroom environment in alignment with the Infant/Toddler Environmental Rating Scale-Revised (ITERS), the Early Childhhod Rating Scale-Rivised (EKCERS), and the School-Age Environmental Rating Scale (SACERS).

EDF 7103 Philosophy, Accountability and Change
Contemporary and traditional philosophies of education related to diversity, school outcomes and change. Develop and assess learning programs designed to integrate a philosophy of change with beliefs about learners, teachers, schools, and communities.

EDF 7163 Research: Assessment and Evaluation
Develop conceptual and analytical skills and knowledge to assess organizational needs and program effectiveness through the use of research methodologies.

EDF 7203 Diverse Community of Learners
In-depth study of variability among students in schools and other educational settings from preschool to adult learning. Special focus on the identification of and programming for at-risk students.

EDF 7303 Leadership and Management of Change
Examines the role of the leader in assessing and responding to change and techniques of change management, including consultation, site-based councils and conflict resolution. Topics also include organization, facilitation and communication for change.

EDF 7403 School Counseling in a Changing Environment
Examination of the role of the counselor in elementary, secondary and community college settings, including counselor, advisor, educator, advocate, and consultant. Study of exemplary models of school counseling programs effective with diverse and changing populations.
(Cross listed with PYC 8022)

EDF 7703 Data-Driven Leadership Practices
Course examines how school leaders can create an atmosphere for improved student achievement based on data-driven systems. Topics include increased external accountability and data demands, as well as the ability to accurately interpret the data and implement positive learning opportunities based on the analysis of said data.

EDF 7753 Human Relations for Leaders in Diverse Communities
Course examines skills and knowledge needed for a school leader to effectively work with others in the problem-solving process within diverse populations. Analysis and development of effective lines of communication and partnerships with decision makers outside the school community are also explored.

EDC 7102 Professional and Historic Issues in School Psychology
An introduction to the field of school psychology, including its history, the roles and functions of school psychologists, professional issues, and ethics and law for school psychologists.

EDC 7133 Counseling and the Helping Professions
Examines the counseling process, instruction and practice in communication skills in counseling, history, development, and practice of counseling as a profession, and how and where counseling is provided.
(Cross listed with PYF 7132).

EDC 7202 Social and Cultural Basis of Assessment
This course will examine issues in the assessment of bilingual students, including the appropriate use of standardized measures, non-discriminatory assessments, alternative approaches to the assessment of cognitive functioning, and social adaptive behavior of linguistically diverse students. Student will administer tests, make case presentations and write reports.

EDC 7303 Theories of Trauma, Grief, and Loss
Examination of the dynamics of grief, loss, and trauma and the role of the counselor in elementary, secondary, and community college settings in supporting students who have experienced loss or trauma.

Add a Minor

Add any of Ottawa University's minors to your degree to take it to the next level. A minor consists of at least 20 credit hours of which at least half of the credit hours are completed at Ottawa University.